Birmingham

Birmingham in the West Midlands, is Britain's second city.

Birmingham (the h is silent, and, in the local dialect, the g is hard, as in Birming-gum) was at the heart of the UK's industrial revolution, and its wealth was built upon the multitude of trades that were spawned. This led to a massive canal network, with more miles of canals than Venice (though they're very different types of canal).

Much of the city centre was destroyed during the Second World War, and the replacement buildings added little to the city. However, since the 1990s, Birmingham has been undergoing a radical change and many of the post war buildings have been replaced. The majority of the city centre is now pedestrianized, and the canals cleaned up to make for attractive walkways. Locals credit the City Council for the recent transformation, as the city retains its industrial heritage while now appearing modern and forward looking.

The city's notable associations are as diverse as HP Sauce, Tony Hancock, Cadbury's chocolate, The Lunar Society (whose members included James Watt and Matthew Boulton), Black Sabbath, the Spitfire and the Mini (car, not skirt).

Birmingham has many literary associations - not only JRR Tolkien,

The Selfridges building at the Bullring shopping centre

but also Washington Irving, who wrote Rip Van Winkle while lodging here with his sister's family, and Conan Doyle, who bought a violin in Sherlock Street while a medical student in Birmingham. The authors Jim Crace, Judith Cutler and David Lodge are also residents.

The nearby locations of Shropshire, Warwick, and Stratford-Upon-Avon provide more of the stereotypical images of "olde" England. However, Birmingham has many of its own tourist attractions, has an extremely lively night life, and the shopping is arguably one of the best outside of London.

See
Birmingham doesn't have a reputation for being especially picturesque, but there is a lot of interesting architecture in the city centre that the shops and crowds sometimes obscure. For such a (relatively) large population centre, the countryside (in the form of country parks) is surprisingly close.

Museums and art galleries
For a place with a strong industrial heritage, Birmingham does not have the large range of historical attractions you may expect, however, this is offset by the arts being extremely well-represented.

Aston Hall, Trinity Rd, Aston (Train to Aston or Witton or #7 bus), +44 121 327 0062 (bmag_enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk). closed until summer 2009 for a £10 million makeover, though the exterior can still be viewed. Restored Jacobean mansion built between 1618 and 1635, containing period rooms and artwork. Cannon damage from the English Civil War is still visible. The Hall was visited by Arthur Conan Doyle and Washington Irving, inspiring the latter's 'Bracebridge Hall'.Aston Hall by Candlelight is a popular Christmas event that takes place every two years (even numbers) where the whole grounds are lit by candles for 17th-century festivities (fee charged).Free entrance. (52.5066,1.8836)

While you're in the area make your way down to 14 Lodge Road, birthplace of Ozzy Osbourne. This is a private house (so please respect the occupants' privacy) but a popular photo-spot for heavy metal fans. Lodge Road is about 1/2 a mile from Aston Hall and runs between Witton Road and Trinity Road. Most crime in Aston occurs after dark so you should be fairly safe during the day. You'll also experience the inspiration behind Black Sabbath's grim early lyrics!

Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TS (on the University of Birmingham campus, off Edgbaston Park Rd, train to University or #61, #62 or #63 bus), +44 121 414 7333 (info@barber.org.uk, fax: +44 121 414 3370). M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Small gallery with an excellent permanent collection, including many pre-Raphaelites. Good Britain Guide gallery of the year 2004.Free (donations welcome). (52.449,-1.927)

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square B3 3DH (Central), +121 303 2834 (bmag_enquiries@birmingham.gov.uk).M-Th Sa 10AM-5PM, F 10:30AM-5PM, Su 12:30PM-5PM..Large museum with some local history, several temporary exhibitions and large permanent collection. Includes the Gas Hall and Waterhall Gallery of Modern Art.Free (donations welcome). (52.479,-1.903)

Cadbury World, Linden Rd, Bournville B30 2LU (train to Bournville), +44 845 450 3599,[29]. Opening times vary enormously but tend to be daily 10AM-4PM in the spring, summer and autumn. Huge chocolate factory south of the city centre. Tour includes the history of chocolate and the Cadbury company, plus a brief look at some of the factory floor. Some free chocolate, plus relatively cheap mis-shapes in the shop.Â£12.50 (concessions £9.95, children £9.50. Combined train and entry tickets available). (52.428,-1.934)Â edit

IKON Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace B1 2HS (off Broad St), â˜Ž+44 121 248 0708 (marketing@ikon-gallery.co.uk,fax: +121 248 0709). Tu-Su 11AM-6PM. Small gallery with two or three temporary modern and conceptual art installations. Excellent cafe (see below).Free (donations welcome).(52.477,-1.912)

Sarehole Mill, Cole Bank Rd, Hall Green B13 OBD (#4, #5, #6 #11 buses), +44 121 777 6612 (contact@birmingham.gov.uk,fax: +44 121 236 1766). Apr-Oct, T-Su 11:30AM-4PM (closed Mondays except Bank Holidays). Built in 1765, Sarehole Mill is a fine example of one of more than fifty water mills that existed in Birmingham at one time. Matthew Boulton used the Mill for making buttons and for metal rolling until he moved his operations to Soho in 1761. In the late 1890s Sarehole was the childhood haunt of Hobbit author J.R.R. Tolkien, and famously influenced 'The Shire' in The Lord of the Rings.Free entrance. (52.4344,-1.8561)

Soho House, Soho Ave, Handsworth, B18 5LB (Located off Soho Rd, Buses: 74, 78 and 79, Metro: Benson Road (there is a steep uphill walk to the house)), +44 121 554 9122 (contact@birmingham.gov.uk),[32]. 8 Apr-29 Oct, Tu-Su 11:30AM-4PM (closed Mondays except Bank Holidays). The elegant home of industrial pioneer Matthew Boulton, who lived at the house from 1766 to 1809. Here, he met with some of the most important scientists, engineers and thinkers of his time - the Lunar Society.Free entrance. (52.5000,-1.9225)Â edit

Thinktank,Millennium Point, Curzon St (directions), â˜Ž+44 121 202 2222 (ffindout@thinktank.ac).Daily 10AM-5PM (last admission 4PM). Science museum with lots of hands-on activities, vehicles and industrial machines, however it must be noted that the activities all smell of their popularity. IMAX cinema (see Cinema section) in the same building.£6.95 (concessions £5, children £4.95. Family and IMAX combination tickets available). (52.482,-1.88)

Parks and nature
There are small parks and green spaces all over the city and suburbs, and the countryside is only about thirty minutes away in any direction. The country parks and nature reserves usually contain a wealth of information about local flora, fauna and conservation efforts.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses, Westbourne Rd, Edgbaston (#21, #22, #23, #29 or #103 bus), +44 121 454 1860 (admin@birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk). M-Sa 9AM-7PM, Su 10AM-7PM (Closes at 5PM or dusk Oct-Mar). Large botanical gardens with a huge range of plants and workshops throughout the year. £6.10 (concessions £3.60, family tickets available).

Birmingham Nature Centre, Pershore Rd, B5 7RL (#45 or #47 bus, adjacent to Cannon Hill Park), +44 121 472 7775 (nature.centre@birmingham.gov.uk,fax: +44 121 471 4997). Daily 10AM-5PM Apr-Oct, Sa Su 10AM-4PM Nov-Mar. Six-acre centre with lots of animals and birds, including deer, otters, owls and two rare Red Pandas.£1.70 (concessions £1.10, children free). (52.4505,-1.9104)

Cannon Hill Park, Pershore Rd (#45 or #47 bus), +44 121 442 4226 (cannon.hill.park@birmingham.gov.uk),[36]. Well-maintained park with flowerbeds, tennis, bowling and water features. Contains tea rooms and the Midlands Arts Centre. Free.

Lickey Hills Country Park, Rednal (train to Barnt Green or #62 bus), +44 121 447 7106 (lickey.hills@birmingham.gov.uk). Popular park (heathland, coniferous forest and deciduous forest) covering over 200 hectares with a visitor centre, pub and golf course. Best visited in the spring (for bluebells) or autumn (for bilberries and turning leaves). Free.

National Sea Life Centre, Brindleyplace, +44 121 643 6777 (24 hour information line +44 121 633 4700). Daily 10AM-6PM (last admission 4PM M-F, 5PM Sa Su). Large sea life centre with a multitude of aquatic animals, including piranhas, turtles, sea horses, rays and otters. Feeding demonstrations throughout the day. £9.95 (concessions £6.95, family tickets available).

RSPB Sandwell Valley, 20 Tanhouse Ave, Great Barr, B43 5AG (Train to Hamstead; No 16 bus; or signposted from local roads), +44 121 357 7395 (mailto:sandwellvalley@rspb.org.uk). Tu-F 9AM-5PM, Sa Su 10AM-5PM (closes at dusk in winter).A bird reserve on the border with Sandwell which organises regular guided walks, talks and family activities.free entrance. (52.5259,-1.9719)

Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield (train to Sutton Coldfield or #66A bus), +44 121 355 6370 (sutton.park.visitors.centre@birmingham.gov.uk). Enormous (over 900 hectare) park including heathland, wetland, marshes, woodland and lakes. Designated an English Nature National Nature Reserve in 1997. Lots of activities on offer including golf, angling, cycling and bird watching. Free.

Woodgate Valley Country Park, Bartley Green (#23 or #103 bus), +44 121 421 7575 (woodgate.valley.country.park@birmingham.gov.uk). 450-acre meadow, hedgerow and woodland park containing Woodgate Valley Urban Farm and Hole Farm Trekking Centre. Best visited in spring and summer when there are hundred of wild flowers and butterflies. Free.

Religious buildings
Birmingham's population is very diverse, and communities from just about any country in the world can be found somewhere. This is turn has led to numerous centres for all the world's major religions.

Birmingham Buddhist Centre, 11 Park Rd, Moseley (#1, #35 or #50 bus), +44 121 449 5279 (info@birminghambuddhistcentre.org.uk). A centre run by the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order .

Birmingham Cathedral (a.k.a. St Philip's Cathedral), Colmore Row, +44 121 262 1840 (enquiries@birminghamcathedral.com). M-F 7:30AM-6:30PM (5PM from late Jul to early Sep), Sa Su 8:30AM-5PM. Church of England cathedral, built between 1709 and 1715 and the centre of the Diocese of Birmingham. Grade 1 listed building in the UK, designed as a parish church in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer. Contains four spectacular pre-Raphaelite stained glass windows.

Birmingham Central Mosque, 180 Belgrave Middleway, Highgate (#35 bus), +44 121 440 5355. Daily noon-30 minutes after Isha (exact time of Isha varies with the seasons). Built in 1969, Birmingham was the second purpose-built mosque in the UK (the first was Woking). The working capacity is 2500, though this is expanded during special events such as Eid. Tour groups should book at least two weeks in advance.

Birmingham Central Synagogue, 133 Pershore Rd, +44 121 440 4044 (office@centralshul.com). M Th from 7:15AM, Tu W F from 7:30AM, Sa from 9:30AM, Su from 8:30AM. Large modern orthodox synagogue, popular with students.

Birmingham Peace Pagoda, Osler St, Ladywood, +44 121 455-0650. The pagoda is designed as symbol of peace, compassion and the noble exemplary qualities of the Buddha.

Ramgarhia Sikh Temple, Graham St, +44 121 235 5435.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Harborne Ward, Lordswood Road +44 121 427-9291. Typical meetinghouse, with services at 10:00AM on Sundays.

St Chad's Cathedral, St Chad's Queensway, +44 121 236 2251. M-F 8AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 9AM-1PM. Catholic cathedral built in 1841 and designated a Minor Basilica in 1941. Contains the Shrine of St. Chad.

St Martin in the Bull Ring, between the Bull Ring shopping complex and the Bull Ring markets. 10AM-5PM. St. Martin is the parish church of Birmingham, or "The Cathedral of the Bull Ring", as some would say. The first church was probably Norman, but was rebuilt in the 13th century. As it stands today, most of the church dates from 1875, though inside you can see the 1325 effigy of the Lord of the Manor Sir William de Bermingham. The church is a Grade II* listed building in the UK.

Shree Geeta Bhawan, 107-117 Heathfield Rd, Lozells (#46 bus), +44 121 523 7797. M-Sa 9AM-1PM and 5PM-8PM (Tu 9PM), Su 9AM-8PM. Hindu temple, opened in 1967.

Clubbing
The city hosts some of Britain's most popular clubs and events. Student nights are especially fun, with cheap drink and entry offers and busy clubs. Do not miss out on visiting at least one of these brilliant events:

Ramshackle, giving visitors a brilliant experience of the UK and International indie scene combined with fantastic prices. Held at the 2000+ capacity Carling Academy, Dale End.

Snobs, very similar to Ramshackle; with DJs offering more focus on up and coming music, also with a 60's room. "Big Wednesday"'s are big with the large student population Birmingham has, with shots at just £1 each all night.

Oceana, the new super club boasts 5+ bars, 2 huge dance floors, and a roof top seating area, all new within the last 2 years. An amazing experience, if a little expensive on popular nights. A good night to go is a Wednesday.

Risa, located on Broad Street, is one of the most popular clubs among students in Birmingham. However it is being gradually taken over by clubs like Oceana. Still it is good fun on Monday and Wednesday night.